Thursday, April 9, 2009

Sunday April 5

There were 6 games on tap on Sunday, the 2nd to last of the 2008-09 NHL season. Former Islanders helped out in 4 of those half dozen tilts. Here is a summation of the FI activities:

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood stopped 21 of 23 shots for the win as the Red Wings downed the visiting Minnesota Wild 3-2 seriously impacting the Wild's playoff dreams. Ozzie is now 25-8-7 on the season. For the 2nd straight season and 9th time on his career Ozzie has recorded 25 or more wins.

Florida defenseman Bryan McCabe scored a goal and added an assist to lead the Panthers' charge as they doubled up on the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins for a 4-2 victory. McCabe received the 1st star honor for his effort. Big Mc now has 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points on 65 games.

Anaheim center Petteri Nokelainen scored a shorthanded goal as the Ducks were edged by the visiting San Jose Sharks 3-2. Noky snapped a 5 game point-less streak and now has 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists) on 48 games this season. Since joining the Ducks Nokelainen has netted 4 goals and added a helper for 5 points on 15 games. The shortie was the first of Nokelainen's young career.

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped only 22 of 26 shots and took the loss as they Canucks were downed by the lowly visiting Colorado Avalanche 4-1. Lu is on a small slide with an 0-2-1 record over the last 3 starts. Luongo is now 29-13-7 on the season as the 'Nucks continue to battle for the Northwest Division crown.